AJuff Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Just read the blurb that came with the new eglu. It says the Sussex star is a hybrid that lays white eggs and a Sussex is a pure breed that lays beige eggs. How would you know if you have a hybrid or pure breed sussex before they came into lay???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Also what's the difference between a light Sussex, a Sussex and a Sussex Star? All very confusing. And what colour eggs do they lay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange1 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 The Sussex Star that lays a pure white egg, is normally called just a 'star' a small flighty bird pure white in colour with a large read floppy comb due to her leghorn strain, the light sussex (hybrid) has a black 'cape' and a black tail but is a white bird, more docile in nature! ...I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Hi Ajuff I think I know the answer to your second question Sussex is the actual name of the purebreed chicken, a light sussex is a white one with black neck feathers (hackles?) and a black tail. Sussex star I think will be a hybrid, something crossed with a pure breed sussex. Sussex also come in speckled and buff - all lovely chooks. Am I right guys? Marks out of ten!! Someone with good experience will be along in a mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Just read the blurb that came with the new eglu. It says the Sussex star is a hybrid that lays white eggs and a Sussex is a pure breed that lays beige eggs. How would you know if you have a hybrid or pure breed sussex before they came into lay???? As others have said - the Sussex is a pure breed, can be light sussex (white with black cape and tail), white, silver (black with white cape), buff or speckled. The Sussex Star is a hybrid that looks very similar to a Light Sussex, ie white with black neck and tail. Not sure what the actual parent birds are, obviously light sussex and something else. They are slightly smaller than the pure breeds, but my friend's sussex star lays a cream egg, not white! I think it would be very difficult for us novices to tell the difference, but obviously a poultry expert would be able to tell. You should be able to find out from your supplier - I'm sure a pure breed sussex will be sold for a lot more money than a sussex star! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 I have a sussex star too - she lays beige eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted July 4, 2008 Author Share Posted July 4, 2008 I think it's two Meadowsweet Sussex Stars I'm collecting tomorrow. I'll double check with the breeder. I'm so excited I doubt I'll be able to sleep tonight!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Checked what my little breed book says about them - they are slightly smaller, have yellow legs instead of white (sussex apparently have white legs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted July 5, 2008 Author Share Posted July 5, 2008 Checked what my little breed book says about them - they are slightly smaller, have yellow legs instead of white (sussex apparently have white legs) Well I now have two beautiful little 16 week old Meadowsweet Sussex Stars. They have white legs!!!! . . . and faces like seagulls!!! I wonder what colour egg they'll lay . . . brown? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...